Kolkata Airport Reopens After Cyclone Closure

KOLKATA: Kolkata airport emerged from a 21-hour hiatus on Monday, reopening its doors to flight operations following a closure necessitated by the looming threat of Cyclone Remal. However, the aftermath of the cyclone continued to disrupt normal flight operations, with several flights encountering delays and diversions.

Flight operations resumed tentatively around 9 am, but the tail end of Cyclone Remal unleashed crosswinds that compelled authorities to suspend flight arrivals for a brief period in the afternoon. The adverse weather conditions led to delays in both arriving and departing flights, with a total of 12 flights being diverted to alternative airports. Additionally, three flights were unable to land and had to execute a go-around manoeuvre.

Despite efforts to restore normalcy, the impact of the cyclone was evident in the reduced number of flights operating from Kolkata airport. Only 149 flights were operational on Monday, a stark contrast to the 384 flights that operated on the same day the previous week. The closure of the airport had prompted mixed reactions among passengers, with some expressing the view that the closure could have been delayed until later in the day. However, considering the forecasts of high-velocity winds and drawing from the cautionary lessons of past incidents, airport authorities opted to initiate the closure at noon when weather conditions were relatively favourable.

As flight operations resumed, passengers faced further inconvenience as adverse weather conditions persisted. Flights experienced disruptions, with some being diverted to airports in Bhubaneswar, Ranchi, Guwahati, Varanasi, and Gaya. Departing flights were also affected, with delays experienced on the tarmac, prompting frustrations among passengers. The disruptions extended beyond Kolkata, with flights from various cities like Guwahati, Bangalore, and Port Blair being cancelled. Stranded passengers voiced their grievances, highlighting the challenges faced in reaching their destinations amidst the tumultuous weather conditions.

In the aftermath of the cyclone, efforts to restore normalcy in flight operations continue, albeit with challenges posed by lingering weather disruptions. As Kolkata airport navigates through the aftermath of Cyclone Remal, the resilience and adaptability of both airport authorities and passengers are put to the test in mitigating the impact of adverse weather on air travel.